The risks and complications associated with arthroscopic knee surgery include infection, nerve damage, blood clots, persistent swelling and stiffness, heart attack, and stroke.
Studies have found that knee arthroscopy usually does not relieve pain, and any pain relief a patient does get is short-lived. And while complications from arthroscopy are rare, they can be serious, including blood clots and infections.
Excessive pain in the knee following arthroscopic surgery is usually due to overactivity or spending too much time on your feet before the thigh muscles have been adequately strengthened. Excessive swelling can also cause pain in the knee. It is normal for the knee to be sore and swollen following arthroscopy.
Pain is quite common, most often in the area where you had pain before surgery, in the soft tissues below the knee cap, over the athroscopy wounds and occasionally the whole knee. The pain settles usually within two to three weeks, but may take upwards of six weeks. Swelling in the whole knee up to six weeks.
You will probably need about 6 weeks to recover. If your doctor repaired damaged tissue, recovery will take longer. You may have to limit your activity until your knee strength and movement are back to normal. You may also be in a physical rehabilitation (rehab) program.
After knee arthroscopy, a person will be able to move comfortably within 4 to 6 weeks. But in the duration of 4 to 6 weeks, it is essential for them to take enough precautions.
Stop walking or standing before your knee starts to get achy, sore or swollen. Minimize walking and standing for the next month—weightbearing (walking or standing) puts stress on your freshly operated knee, and will cause more swelling, which will slow down your recovery.
Arthroscopic knee surgery is a minimally invasive technique of making repairs to the knee ligament or meniscus. The highly advanced procedure has an over 90 percent success rate.
In the United States, currently, the average age to undergo knee arthroplasty is around 65 years old. Mostly knee replacement surgery is performed in elders with severe arthritis, while those under the age of 50 are considered young and are asked to wait until the age of 65.
You may be able to walk around almost straight after your surgery. But this will depend on why you had surgery and the type of surgery you had. Some surgeons recommend a week or two of rest, followed by gentle exercise and then sports later.
Patients that have knee pain or instability without significant arthritis may be a candidate for a knee arthroscopy. Current indications for knee arthroscopy include: Meniscus tears. ACL tears.
There is no age limit for hip arthroscopy, as positive results have been proven in young and old patients [38].
The cartilage damage associated with arthritis is irreversible, but there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments that can help reduce pain, increase joint flexibility and improve overall quality of life for people with knee arthritis.
In arthroscopy, part of the meniscus is removed. As a result, the knee has considerably less support and absorbancy. In time, osteoarthritis in the knee worsens, and the only option for successful treatment is a total knee replacement.
Answer: Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
Recovery. Regular exercise to restore strength and mobility to your knee is important for your full recovery after arthroscopic surgery. Your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day.
It's normal to feel moderate discomfort during the first few weeks after a knee arthroscopy. However, as your knee heals, you should feel gradual improvement and an overall lessening of your pain. If you are still in significant discomfort after several weeks, there might be obstacles hampering your recovery process.
You may shower 48 hours after your surgery and get your incisions wet. Do NOT immerse in a tub or pool for 7 – 10 days to avoid excessive scarring and risk of infection. Keep Ice Packs on at all times exchanging every hour while awake. Icing is very important to decrease swelling and pain and improve mobility.
Normally, you should refrain from driving for at least 1 week after an arthroscopic knee operation, until the swelling reduces and the knee motion improves, but you should establish with your doctor when it is safe to start driving.
The goal is to not be overly active. If the knee is not tremendously painful, walking can occur without crutches; however, do not overdo it in the first two to three days after surgery since this could result in more swelling than is necessary.
You will be advised to limit the movement of your knee for a period of time after arthroscopy, and a knee brace is usually key in maintaining knee immobilization while your knee heals.
Sleep on Your Side
You can, but it's wise not to do so until at least a few weeks after surgery, when you can start bending your knee. Make sure you lay on your non-operative side. Sleeping this way makes sure no pressure falls on the knee you had surgery on.
Do I need a knee brace? Knee braces after simple arthroscopic knee surgery are rarely used. However, if your surgery involves more than just removal of torn cartilage or meniscus - for example, if you have a meniscal repair - your knee may be placed in a brace after surgery.